As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Post Doc Research Associate in the United States is $131,498 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Post Doc Research Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Post Doc Research Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Post Doc Research Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Post Doc Research Associate | $126,790 |
| Intermediate Level Post Doc Research Associate | $127,496 |
| Senior Level Post Doc Research Associate | $129,144 |
| Specialist Level Post Doc Research Associate | $131,027 |
| Expert Level Post Doc Research Associate | $133,902 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Post Doc Research Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 9.66% |
| Human Relations | 1.68% |
| Data Entry | 0.84% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Documents
|
$173,577 |
32%
|
|
Strategic Communication
|
$159,113 |
21%
|
|
Resource Management
|
$149,908 |
14%
|
|
Business Development
|
$147,278 |
12%
|
|
Data Privacy
|
$144,648 |
10%
|
|
Insight
|
$144,648 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Post Doc Research Associates enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Post Doc Research Associate with a Bachelor's Degree is between $101,277 and $113,309).
Post Doc Research Associate Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.9% |
| High School | 9.4% |
| Associates | 1.9% |
| Bachelors | 9.4% |
| Masters | 45.3% |
| Doctorate | 43.4% |
Understanding how a Post Doc Research Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Post Doc Research Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $134,187 in 2023 to around $126,602 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Post Doc Research Associate salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $134,187 |
| 2024 | $131,759 |
| 2025 | $126,602 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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